South America takes more preparation for allergy conscious travelers than some other regions, since formal allergen labeling laws are less consistent from country to country.
Andean staples like potatoes, corn and quinoa are naturally gluten free, which works in favor of travelers with celiac disease once bread and pasta are set aside. Coastal cities often have a growing number of allergy aware restaurants, particularly in areas with more international tourism, though smaller towns may have little awareness of cross contamination. Shellfish allergies deserve particular caution near the coast, since seafood shows up in far more dishes than the menu might suggest. Carrying translated allergy cards and a few backup snacks makes a real difference across most of the continent.
The destinations on our list for South America reflect that need for a bit more planning alongside genuinely rewarding food.
